The Impact of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy in Prolonged Major Abdominal Surgery on Extravascular Lung Water and Oxygenation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: A growing interest had been paid to goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT) in abdominal surgery; however, its impact on the respiratory profile was not well investigated. AIM: We evaluated the impact of GDT on postoperative extravascular lung water and oxygenation after prolonged major abdominal surgery. METHODS: A randomised, controlled study was conducted in Kasr Alainy hospital from April 2016 till December 2017 including 120 adult patients scheduled for prolonged major abdominal surgery. Patients were randomised into either GDT group (n = 60) who received baseline restricted fluid therapy (2 mL/Kg/hour) which is guided by stroke volume variation, or control group (n = 60) who received standard care. Both study groups were compared according to hemodynamic data, fluid requirements, lung ultrasound score, and PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (P/F ratio), RESULTS: Intraoperatively, GDT group received less volume of fluids and showed higher intraoperative mean arterial pressure compared to the control group. Postoperatively, lung ultrasound score was lower, and P/F ratio was higher in the GDT group compared to the control group. The number of patients who showed a significant postoperative increase in LUS was higher in the control group 44 (73%) patients versus 14 (23%) patients, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using stroke volume variation for guiding fluid therapy in prolonged, major abdominal operations were associated with better hemodynamic profile, less intraoperative fluid administration, lower extravascular lung water and better oxygenation compared to standard care.